My Bookmarx 10/02/2010

“Never mind the dead civilians. Forget about the stolen guns. Get over the murder arrests, the fraud allegations, and the accusations of guards pumping themselves up with steroids and cocaine. Through a “joint venture,” the notorious private-security firm Blackwater has won a piece of a five-year State Department contract worth up to $10 billion, Danger Room has learned.”

“The “disgraced” former general has recently been hired by Yale University. He has also signed on with a Washington-based agency to set up speaking engagements. The fee per appearance: up to $60,000, plus travel and lodging for three.”

Just a few months ago, the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and India threatened to ban BlackBerry devices unless the company made eavesdropping easier. China has already built a massive internet surveillance system to better control its citizens.